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Ex-Gov. Barbour 'very comfortable' with pardons

Final-days decisions for more than 200 criminals has outraged victims' families

Published: 01/15/2012 at 1:36 AM

RIDGELAND, Miss. — Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said Friday he’s “very comfortable” with his final-days decisions to grant pardons or other clemency to more than 200 people, including convicted killers — decisions that outraged victims’ families and dismayed even some of his most devoted supporters.

Barbour, a Republican who had considered but decided against running for president this year, said that 189 of the people who got pardons or other reprieves had already been released from prison before his actions. Only 10, he said, have been or will be fully released from prison, while several with expensive, chronic conditions are receiving medical leave.